My twenty-plus year old Sharp Carousel II combination convection and microwave oven finally burnt out. It served us well, over the years and it took me quite a bit of research to locate a replacement that had the features we had come to know and love, and was reasonably intuitive to use. The new microwave -- a Panasonic -- has a "delayed start" feature.
I decided I would have instant oatmeal this morning cuz I was in a hurry so I checked the manual on using the delayed start feature. (By now, little warning bells should be sounding in your head).
- Key in the time for delay. Example, to delay start for 5 minutes, key in 5 0 0
- Select power setting for cooking. Example, to cook at power level 6, press the Power Level button 5 times
- Key in the cook time. Example, to cook food for 10 minutes, key in 1 0 0 0
- Press "Start"
The timer will count down, the manual said, then the cooking will commence for the selected amount of time at the selected power level.
- I keyed in a delay time of 30 minutes: 3 0 0 0
- I keyed in a power setting of 8: Power Power Power
- I keyed in a cook time of 65 seconds: 6 5
- I pressed "Start"
I went to shower. <-- AD, take note
When I got out of the shower, the house smelled like something was burning and the dogs had worried, uncomfortable expressions.
The blackened mass in the bowl, formerly known as "oatmeal", was still giving off fumes that had yellowed the interior of the microwave. So much for being in a hurry; I spent a good deal of time wiping down the microwave while the bowl and its super-heated carbon contents crackled as it cooled on a hot pad on the counter. The house reeks.
When I was finally ready to leave for work, the dogs were still wearing worried, uncomfortable expressions and Teegan attempted to dine al fresco. Sadly, her bowl remained inside the house, affording Murphy the opportunity to pwn both bowls of food. When Teegan gave up on attempting to teleport her dish and finally came back in, Murphy let her know that she, Murphy, pwned Teegan's bowl.
I let Murphy know that I pwn both bowls.
Anyone know if dog spit gets rad-hardened carbon off of ceramic?
Carbolic acid (actually phenol) has limited water solubility and is slightly acidic. It's an OK antiseptic (Lister used it) and is popular in oral anesthetics like Ambesol and Chloraseptic. I doubt it would break down the carbonized stuff.
Muriatic (actually hydrochloric) acid would prolly work because it is such a corrosive liquid. Don't use it where you breathe. Don't use it where there is _any_ steel in the same building, including nails.
Easy Off might work best.
Carbolic acid? Are you saying my dogs' spit is something I could gargle with?
Dog spit?
Everyone but (the former) Ann Landers knows it is an antiseptic, innit.
Why is it that only dogs can manage worried expressions?
Laughed out loud reading this post.
But frankly I'd throw out the bowl. You don't know WHAT scary substances may have been released by the microwaving.
And now for my Martha Stewart tip -- to clean the microwave and get rid of the bad odor -- fill a GLASS or PYREX bowl with water, toss in a couple lemon slices, and run the micro until the water boils. then let the bowl sit in the oven for a few minutes. You should just be able to wipe it down and it shouldn't smell anymore.
Thanks, Jane!
I don't understand that delay feature. Oatmeal only takes 60-70 seconds, so you can't watch it that long? My husband eats oatmeal every day--microwaves are great because there's no pan to clean. Of course, we've never turned it into a commercial diamond, either.
I like to be the epitome of efficiency, see. I wanted my oatmeal to be ready to eat as I am walking out the door.
This is really shameful -- my anal-obsessive control-freak nature is showing, here: I walked in from the gym, grabbed the packet of oatmeal off the shelf in the pantry, as I passed the coffee maker I hit "Brew", pulled the bowl and measuring cup out of the cupboard with the next smooth motion, quickly measured the water, poured all into the bowl, slapped it into the mic, tried the delay programming, and spun off to the shower.
I already had the coffee mug ready from the night before.
Theoretically, then, all I needed on my way out the door after completing my ablutions and primping was to pour the coffee, snag the bowl and a spoon and the mug and head out to the car.
The oatmeal would've been cooked and at the correct temperature for immediate consumption. No scalding of tongue, etc.
Ah, well. Meal replacement bars on my days that I go into the office, then.